Jayco Penguin

Submitted: Wednesday, Nov 04, 2009 at 10:30

ThreadID: 73515 Views:5005 Replies:7 FollowUps:3

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JaycoJohnT

Hi All,

Just purchased a Jayco Penguin 2003. I have been told that this is the only Jayco model that you can't travel top down with the fridge on.

Can someone please verify or advise if we can get around this situation.

Regards,
John

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Reply By: Michael ( Moss Vale NSW) - Wednesday, Nov 04, 2009 at 10:44

Wednesday, Nov 04, 2009 at 10:44

I used to own a Dove, I covered the vent on the benchtop when driving and fitted a 12 volt element and it was fine. I had a switch on the drawbar and when i stopped for short breaks, i would turn the switch and isolate as to not flatten the battery (had a car at the time) and because no air circulation when not moving.. No you cant use with gas When moving...... Michael

AnswerID: 389931

Follow Up By: Michael ( Moss Vale NSW) - Wednesday, Nov 04, 2009 at 10:45

Wednesday, Nov 04, 2009 at 10:45

It was along time ago but from memory, it draws about 7 amps running on 12volts. Michael

FollowupID: 657674

Reply By: MDV505 - Wednesday, Nov 04, 2009 at 10:46

Wednesday, Nov 04, 2009 at 10:46

If it is the same as the Flamingo, then you can't run the fridge on gas when the top is down as it generartes too much heat with a fire risk. I understand it is OK on 12V, but the fridge must already be cold as the 12V system is only designed to maintain the temperature.

Be carefull if stopped for a long time and the fridge on 12V as it will run down your car battery.

Michael

AnswerID: 389932

Reply By: Karen & Geoff - Wednesday, Nov 04, 2009 at 13:45

Wednesday, Nov 04, 2009 at 13:45

Hi John, dont know if you know but Jayco have a forum on their website too, and you can get some very useful tips and info on there. Might be helpful if you cant get info on here. Someone on there would have to ahve the same model as yours, or maybe a jayco dealer might have an answet too.
Good luck with it.
Karen

AnswerID: 389955

Reply By: skeety - Wednesday, Nov 04, 2009 at 14:31

Wednesday, Nov 04, 2009 at 14:31

Hey John. Just come back from trip with 2005 Jayco Dove.Used fridge on 12volt no wurries but made sure fridge was cold on 240volt before departing.
Suggest you get relay fitted to ignition to shut off 12volt when stopping that way you don't have remember to turn off swich or disconnect lead. Cheers

AnswerID: 389963

Reply By: Grinner - Wednesday, Nov 04, 2009 at 15:06

Wednesday, Nov 04, 2009 at 15:06

I believe the issue is that the Penguin does not have the pull-out beds. With the other Jayco models the base of the bed sits over the inside fridge vent. With the Penguin I suppose that the canvas will sit on top of the fridge vent. I wonder if you could make a plywood lid to sit on the Penguin fridge, rasied up to allow some ventilation?

Jason

AnswerID: 389966

Follow Up By: Member - Terry W (ACT) - Wednesday, Nov 04, 2009 at 15:48

Wednesday, Nov 04, 2009 at 15:48

The Penguin already has a raised timber cover over the top vent.

You can run the Penguin fridge on 12 volts all day as long as the tow vehicle is running, but it will flatten the start battery in around 30 to 40 minutes if you leave it connected with the engine off. How do I know? We did it during a lunch stop on the Hay Plains, and immediately afterwards had the tow vehicle wiring modified so that power to the fridge wire switched off automatically when the ingnition was off. (Fortunately we had an Outback Penguin and were able to remove the on board battery to jump start the tow vehicle or we would have been in strife).

You must not use the fridge on gas when closed up.

FollowupID: 657703

Reply By: Rangiephil - Wednesday, Nov 04, 2009 at 15:43

Wednesday, Nov 04, 2009 at 15:43

Surely nobody uses gas when moving in any type of van.

That is what 12Volt is for.

Isn't it illegal ?

If you are using 12v , as long as there is some type of venting space above it would be OK.
Regards Philip A

AnswerID: 389973

Follow Up By: disco driver - Wednesday, Nov 04, 2009 at 19:16

Wednesday, Nov 04, 2009 at 19:16

Hi Phil,
If you read some of the earlier posts on this subject, it would appear that there are a fair few people who leave the the fridge running on gas while travelling.

One even asked to be shown where it said it was illegal.
He also admitted that the instruction book for his fridge said "Do not run fridge on gas while travelling". Still did it!!!

Common sense would say that it's not a good idea, even in a "normal " caravan.

12 volt will maintain the fridge at a safe temp while travelling, but as others have said Disconnect while the motor is not running.

Disco.

FollowupID: 657751